The legendary Nigerian singer, Sir Victor Uwaifo has passed on. His nephew, Uwaifo Peter The Rock, broke the news on his verified Facebook page on Saturday evening.
Uwaifo, who is a gospel artiste and multi-instrumentalist, wrote:
“Daddy whyyyyyyyyyy. Did you leave us now
Prof sir Victor UWAIFO has gone to rest
Black Saturday for me now.
One week now after collaborating with me.”
He, however, did not disclose the cause of his death. The late singer featured in a track titled “Hallelujah” of his son’s upcoming album about a week ago. The ‘Guitar boy’ as he was fondly called celebrated his 80th birthday in March.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Kalu , and the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) have all condoled with the family of the late music maestro.
The President said this in a statement by his spokesman Femi Adesina, titled, ‘President Buhari mourns legendary music artiste, Sir Victor Uwaifo’.
The versatile artist was born March 1, 1941, and was best known for being a musician, writer, sculptor, multi-instrumentalist and a university lecturer. The ‘Baby mi da’ crooner was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs for ‘Guitar boy,” Arabade’, ‘Ekassa series’ and ‘Akwete music.’ He was recognised as Nigeria’s most educated performing music legend and artiste with a PhD in architectural sculpture. He was also the first Nigerian musician to be awarded the National Merit Honours of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).